Charity
Donors to build bridge on stream now crossed by plastic bag
  • By Chau Nhu Quynh | dtinews.vn | April 04, 2014 09:02 AM
 >>  Crossing stream by plastic bags clip prompts ministry to build bridge

Many organisations have committed to donating towards the construction of a bridge in Dien Bien Province, where local people often cross a stream using plastic bags.

 

A man is helping a small girl to cross the stream in a plastic bag 

This information was given by the Deputy Minister of Transport Nguyen Hong Truong at a press conference held in Hanoi on April 2.

After images of villagers in Sam Lang Highlands Village crossing a stream were published in the media, the Ministry of Transport Dinh La Thang instructed the construction of a suspension bridge in the locality.

According to the minister, the bridge is estimated to cost around VND3.5 billion (USD165,680). The ministry has assigned the provincial Department of Transport to act as the project’s investor and construction will be commenced in the next two months so as to be in use by the next rainy season.

Deputy Minister Nguyen Hong Truong said “The bridge project was planned to be paid for out of the state budget, but since so many donations have been coming in, it will be funded that way."

Sam Lang Highlands Village is home to about 100 Mong households.

During the rainy season, the water in the stream can become 80-metres wide and runs very fast, so no boats or ferries can cross and the temporary bridge is out of commission. The situation has forced residents to cross by unconventional means, wearing large white plastic bags while somebody pulls them across.

The full video clip can be watched at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nznzIFR51gY

Deputy Minister Nguyen Hong Truong said localities have proposed the bridge construction at 5,000 locations in mountainous regions, and after a survey of the ministry, 186 bridges will be built in the 2014-2015 period.

Investment for these bridges' construction is expected to come from ODA, government bonds and donations.

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